Dairy, crop farmers both facing a difficult time

John Schoen attaches the milking machine to a Holstein cow at Schoen Farms near Oak Ridge. Most of his cows yield four to five gallons of milk in a milking session. (Fred Lynch) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Dairy and crop farmers are dealing with a tough fall but for different reasons: prices and demand for the former, weather for the latter.

Facing a 35 percent decline in profits compared to October 2008, Oak Ridge Dairy producer John Schoen said he's hoping the situation turns around soon.

"We've been able to produce plenty of milk, but it's been difficult to sell my milk and make a profit at the same time," said Schoen, whose farm has about 190 head of cattle. "It's becoming a case where the consumer has backed off some on how much dairy products they buy."

According to the Missouri Farm Bureau's study of 16 staple food items, the grocery-store price for a gallon of whole milk decreased from $3.69 during the third quarter of 2008 to $2.87 during the third quarter of 2009.

Farmers receive about $1 from each gallon of milk sold, compared to $1.90 a gallon last year.

John Schoen directs his Holstein herd toward the milking barn. (Fred Lynch) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

To survive, Schoen said, he's reduced unnecessary expenditures, such as capital purchases. By doing so, Schoen believes he and others at the multifamily-operated Schoen Farms Inc. survive the economic downturn.

"Anytime you have any kind of a business, there will always be peaks and valleys," Schoen said. "I've been in business long enough to weather the situation, whether it's good or bad."

Crop farmers have had to contend with delayed harvests because of ample rainfall and cool weather.

Dr. William J. Wiebold, a University of Missouri Extension specialist in soybean and corn management, said that while yields have been great for most crops, muddy fields have made it impossible to harvest them.

The National Weather Service said Cape Girardeau has received 7.31 inches of rain -- 4.84 inches above average -- since Oct. 1.

"Cool temperatures slow water evaporation from the soil and grain," Wiebold said. "Wet corn grain will increase drying costs or further delay harvest."

Farmers may delay corn harvest to reduce drying costs, he said, but that risks an increase in "lodged" corn -- stalks lying flat or at a low angle that are harder to harvest, thus reducing the yield. Wiebold said continued wet weather will increase the chances of soybean "shattering," when loose beans and detached pods fall to the ground.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture's latest report said harvest for most crops statewide was about two weeks behind.

Ninety-one percent of Southeast Missouri's corn harvest is complete, compared to 95 percent this time last year. The corn harvest is 40 percent complete statewide; the average at this time is 77 percent.

The report found that soybean harvesting is 28 percent complete in Southeast Missouri and 22 percent finished statewide. This time last year 34 percent of soybean harvesting was complete in Southeast Missouri and 26 percent statewide. The statewide average at this time of year is 49 percent.

Cotton harvest is 5 percent complete, the report said, about 32 days behind normal.

Thomas Raffety, a soybean and cotton farmer in Wyatt, Mo., said that while his corn harvest is complete, his yield was down this year, though it was not known by how much. A recent frost also damaged about 500 acres of his soybeans.

"Late planting and the weather have made this a strange season," Raffety said. "Frost will decrease the yield on the beans. It's just a matter of how much."

Jeff House, agronomy specialist for the University of Missouri Extension in New Madrid County, said he can't recall seeing conditions this difficult for a cotton harvest since he was growing up in the early 1970s.

"It's going to be a tough harvest," House said. "We've had cotton harvests before, but this one is going to be really tough."

Cotton ginning in the area usually begins around the first of October, but this year it may begin around Nov. 1, according to Doug Moore, gin manager for the Bootheel Cotton Co. in Matthews, Mo.

Moore said he is expecting to gin 25 percent less cotton than last year. The weather is largely to blame, but market forces also play a part. With low cotton prices and high grain prices, "some of our cotton acres went to grain," he said.

There have also been reports of boll rot, House said, which is a fungus that rots the cotton inside the boll before it has a chance to open.

Cotton farmers haven't completely given up hope, however.

"If we can get some sun, like we got today, and some wind we stand a pretty good chance," House said. "If we could get a week to 10 days of dry weather, the landscape is going to change pretty fast."

Scott Welton of the Standard Democrat contributed to this report.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

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Pertinent addresses:

Cape Girardeau, MO